Indonesia’s state-owned telecommunications firm PT Telkom Indonesia, through its subsidiary, PT Sigma Cipta Caraka (Telkomsigma), has acquired PT Bosnet Distribution Indonesia in an effort to develop Telkom Group’s logistics business.

By seeking to develop its electronic-logistics business, the group sought to support its existing businesses in information, communication technology (ICT), e-commerce, payment gateways and big data analytics, said Telkomsigma president director Judi Achmadi after signing acquisition deal.

Judi said the acquisition would help TelkomGroup strengthen its position in the logistics business ecosystem.

He said Bosnet was a noted ICT solution provider for the distribution of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Indonesia. – The Jakarta Post

Workshop on SME farm exports to China

Laos’ small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to export agricultural products to China exchanged knowledge on production skills and trade at a training workshop in Vientiane.

The training aimed to enhance opportunities for Lao agriculture products to access the Chinese market.

The workshop was co-chaired by President of Lao Agro Processing Association Phouvong Korasack, Chief of Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business Section (CIT) Rajesh Aggarwal, Deputy Director General of the Trade and Product Promotion Department under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Xaysomphet Norasing, and participants from the government and the SME sector.

During the training, Phouvong highlighted Laos’ many agricultural products which have been exported to China recently such as coffee, sugarcane, rice, rubber and cassava. – Vientiane Times

EPF eyes investments in US infra projects

Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is looking at investment opportunities in infrastructure projects in the US.

“We already invested in the equities market, and now we are looking at infrastructure assets with good returns because as an institutional fund we are always looking at longterm investment opportunities.

“For instance, in Malaysia, we have invested in Tenaga Nasional Bhd and highway operator PLUS Malaysia Bhd,” said EPF chief executive officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan told reporters at a briefing on Thursday.

He also pointed out that the EPF has invested in infrastructure assets in the European region.

He, however, noted that the potential investment in the US infrastructure projects would also depend on the tax structure. – The Star